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Author
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Topic: Christa McAuliffe: Mission Accomplished
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FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-08-2007 11:57 AM
  
This morning I was thinking about the famous story, presumably true, of when Apollo 11 landed on the moon at Arlington National Cemetery and a bunch of flowers appeared on John F. Kennedy's grave, with a note saying, I understand, "Mr. President, the Eagle has landed." I am wondering if anyone in the DC area, or in the Concord, NH area, is considering leaving a note on the Arlington Challenger memorial or Christa's resting place in Concord with a similarly appropriate sentiment, assuming an on-time successful launch today, or perhaps even on the day of landing. I hope so, as you would probably be doing it on behalf of everyone here. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-08-2007 12:52 PM
Francis-A beautiful sentiment but I would wait until "wheels stop" on August 22nd. I hope someone does this then. Tim |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-08-2007 04:12 PM
Sounds like good timing to me. Anyone in either of those places feel like doing this? |
FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-08-2007 05:23 PM
Do you think it would be possible to call the cemetery and have someone there place them?
If so, I will gladly do the honor, and have it be done after wheels stop...unless you would like to do it Francis...since it was your wonderful idea.------------------
Mike |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-08-2007 05:33 PM
A GREAT idea after wheels stop.*
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tncmaxq
Member Posts: 287
From: New Haven, CT USA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 08-08-2007 10:12 PM
I thought it was great when Rob Navias said during liftoff, Barbara goes to space "on the wings of a legacy." |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-09-2007 10:24 AM
There's supposed to be a Challenger memorial in Brick, NJ - I have (somehwhat) flex time, so I will leave a note there either Friday (assuming 11 day mission) or Monday (assuming 14 day mission.) |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-09-2007 10:29 AM
I'll do the same at the Astronauts Memorial at KSC.Tim |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 11:41 AM
Thanks Hart, Tim and Mike... you'll be expressing the thoughts of all of us, I believe... |
FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-09-2007 12:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by FFrench:
Thanks Hart, Tim and Mike... you'll be expressing the thoughts of all of us, I believe...
Francis, for the memorial at Arlington, what should I have the note read?
------------------
Mike |
E2M Lem Man
Member Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 08-09-2007 01:03 PM
Next to city hall here in Downey where the orbiters were built, there is a memorial stone for the 'Challenger' and her crew. We were planning on placing some flowers there once they were down. Then it's........
.....Mission Accomplished! |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 02:00 PM
Wow, this is great, that other memorials are also being suggested. There is a Challenger memorial in Little Tokyo in downtown LA too if anyone is close to that one.While the simple phrase "Mission Accomplished" would seem to suggest it all, as a solo phrase it has unfortunately become strongly associated with its use as a backdrop banner by the President in reference to Iraq, and thus (rightly or wrongly) used in many recent political jokes and commentaries. It may therefore be better to avoid any such connotations, and go with something more in parallel to the JFK note. Perhaps something like: "Christa, there is a Teacher In Space. Your class is back in session and your inspiration continues..." Or, more simply: "Christa, there is a Teacher In Space. Your mission continues..." Perhaps the "mission accomplished" phrase is workable if given new context, such as: "Christa, after a long recess, there is a Teacher in Space. Mission accomplished." But it may be that others here have better, other, suggestions. I'd love to hear them. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-09-2007 02:22 PM
"Dick, Mike, El, Judy, Ron, Greg, and Christa, you've touched the future. Your mission continues...." |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-09-2007 02:47 PM
With apologies to Hart, a small change..."Dick, Mike, El, Judy, Ron, Greg, and Christa, you've touched the future, a Teacher taught from space. Your mission is accomplished. The Dream is Alive." Whatever wording is decided upon I think we should leave the same message in each place. Tim
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FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-09-2007 02:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
Whatever wording is decided upon I think we should leave the same message in each place.Tim
I completely agree on this. I was also thinking about having a photo of Barbara in space there along with the flowers and note.
------------------
Mike |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 03:05 PM
Tim and Mike, I really like your amendments to Hart's wording, and that works for me. |
SpaceCadet114
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 08-09-2007 03:16 PM
I think it should definitely have something about the crew of Challenger touching the future. I wasn't born when the Challenger tragedy happened, but I know Christa's story and it does inspire you to reach for things. So she and the rest of her crew have definitely touched the future! |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 08:50 PM
I live here in Massachusetts and have been to Christa's grave site in Concord, NH. Depending on what day they land, I could certainly make the journey once again. I will be in Minnesota on 8/21-23 though.I was thinking something on the idea of "Christa...Endeavour has returned, assignment completed". I think the word assignment would be better for a teacher. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 08:56 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ejectr: I was thinking something on the idea of "Christa...Endeavor has returned, assignment completed".I think the word assignment would be better for a teacher.
Good choice - I like that word too...
...although don't forget it is Endeavour for this shuttle, not Endeavor. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-09-2007 08:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by FFrench:
Good choice - I like that word too...
...although don't forget it is Endeavour for this shuttle, not Endeavor.
Yeah...I caught that just before your post, Francis, but you beat me to it  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-09-2007 09:24 PM
I believe that Christa, as a teacher, would suggest that her assignment or mission was never complete as you never stop learning, or teaching. I think the message should be something short and simple. To borrow from Tim's suggestion, something like: "Your mission continues." Omit the names, so it can apply to Christa or the entire crew depending on the location its placed. I plan to take part by leaving the note and flowers at the STS-51L memorial at Challenger Park in Houston... |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-10-2007 06:39 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
I believe that Christa, as a teacher, would suggest that her assignment or mission was never complete as you never stop learning, or teaching. I think the message should be something short and simple. To borrow from Tim's suggestion, something like: "Your mission continues."
Good point, Robert. Suggestion accepted. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 08-10-2007 06:49 AM
I see the mission has been extended to land 8/22. I'll be in MN and will be unable to visit Christa's grave site upon Endeavour landing.Anyone else local that can do it should highly consider it. |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-10-2007 06:12 PM
God Bless you all for the work you will be doing. Reading all your thoughts truly brings tears to my eyes. |
FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-19-2007 10:30 PM
Unfortunately, my friend in Virginia is going to be away, and therefore unable to do this. I called Arlington via a number on their website, and was told that they are "unable to satisfy my request".I'm so sorry for making a promise that I ultimately couldn't keep.
Anyone in the D.C. area willing to do this? ------------------
Mike |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 08-20-2007 05:38 PM
So what is the final wording to be placed on the notes ?Thanks ! Gene My thinking was that this whole idea could be copied by the rest of us with a note and a single flowing being placed at each SCHOOL near us that is named after an astronaut, after wheels stop....which apparently is happening tomorrow ! |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-20-2007 06:02 PM
To try and work in everyones excellent suggestions and to give you all a sense of ownership in this project, I've made up my sign with these words."Dick, Mike, El, Judy, Ron, Greg, and Christa;
You've touched the future. A Teacher taught from space and your assignment has been completed. The dream is alive and the mission continues. Rest in Peace."
I will turn it over to the Astronauts Memorial Foundation at KSC after Endeavour lands safely. If possible I will send Robert a photo for posting here.
Tim
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FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-20-2007 06:30 PM
Gene, what a wonderful idea! John Glenn High School will have a flower and note out by the flag pole after wheels stop!------------------
Mike |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-20-2007 10:05 PM
Thanks, everyone, for the wonderful thoughts and replies to this thread. This has really turned into something special. Really looking forward to seeing what people do (perhaps with photos here) - and, of course, this doesn't all have to happen on the day of landing, the following days and week will still have a lot of meaning, I think... |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-21-2007 08:42 AM
Placing anything at Arlington Cemetary at the Challenger Memorial, IMO, would be very dificult without the assistance of the cemetary since it's @ 5 feet behind a chain fence. Unless someone were to be able to get a cemetary staffer, groundskeeper, or member of the Old Guard, although this thought a very good idea, don't really think would be possible. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-21-2007 08:43 AM
I've seen people place things on the lawn in front of it, from where you can stand... as you say, you are only a couple of feet away at that point. |
NavySpaceFan
Member Posts: 655
From: Norfolk, VA
Registered: May 2007
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posted 08-21-2007 12:17 PM
Did anyone have a chance to do this? |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-21-2007 02:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by thump:
Placing anything at Arlington Cemetary at the Challenger Memorial, IMO, would be very dificult without the assistance of the cemetary since it's @ 5 feet behind a chain fence.
It is easier than you think. In 1989 I took a group of Young Astronauts from around the state of Connecticut on a field trip to Washington, DC. We contacted the Arlington folks ahead of time and they allowed my students to place a wreath at the Challenger Memorial as well as on the graves of Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee.One thing that won't work is asking a member of the Old Guard to do this for you. I hope someone does this at Arlington. Mine will be at KSC tomorrow. Tim |
E2M Lem Man
Member Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 08-21-2007 03:32 PM
Let's say it guys- Christa- your mission is today accomplished!!! J.M. Busby |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-21-2007 04:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
It is easier than you think.
As I said, difficult without the assistance of someone who works for the cemetery. Read FutureAstronaut's post before mine, he spoke with someone at the cemetery and they said that they would not be able to help with his request. |
FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-21-2007 04:55 PM
thump, that was just one person, and over the phone. I was asking a lot of them, to help me find away to get flowers to them, and then for them to personally place them at the memorial.
Seeing that you are in the D.C. area, if you are willing to do this, I'm sure there will be someone at the cemetary who would kindly help you get them to the memorial if you came, flowers in hand, and just asked for assistance getting them over the fence.------------------
Mike |
thump
Member Posts: 575
From: washington dc usa
Registered: May 2004
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posted 08-21-2007 05:13 PM
I unfortunately am working double shifts this week, and am scheduled to be working/volunteering this weekend at the NASM, or else I would |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-22-2007 01:02 PM
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FutureAstronaut
Member Posts: 372
From:
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 08-22-2007 01:37 PM
Oh wow, thats wonderful Tim! |
blue_eyes
Member Posts: 165
From: North Carolina, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 08-22-2007 01:54 PM
Tim, what a beautiful and perfect tribute! Really brought a lot of tears to my eyes. Thank you ever so much for doing this. |
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